Assassination…
As you likely know by now, the President of Haiti was assassinated in the early hours of this morning. We understand that his wife was taken to a hospital and later died.
Some people may be wondering about the status of our work in Haiti. I would tell you that our work in Haiti is now more important than ever. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are able to offer a measure of stability with food, schools, church, love, encouragement, and support. Now, more than ever, our friends in Haiti need to know that we are there for them, and that we have not forgotten about them. We never want them to have a feeling of being abandoned, of being alone in this world with little hope. We want them to know we are standing with them and by them and for them.
A Difficult Place
Someone has asked if we ever want to throw in the towel because of the seemingly endless difficulties in Haiti. The answer is a resounding NO! We do not work in Haiti because it is easy. Instead, we are intentionally going to the hard places, the abandoned places, the places where there is suffering and despair. After all, that is what Jesus did. That is were Jesus went. That is the group to whom Jesus ministered. We can do no less.
God’s Heart
In times like these, I am reminded of God’s heart for the poor and the suffering.
The Psalmist wrote, “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and the oppressed.”
Jesus said, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
He said, “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.”
Paul wrote that, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which Gold prepared in advance for us to do.”
James wrote that, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”
Sometimes people get upset and say to God, “If you care so much, why don’t you do something about all the problems like the ones in Haiti?” And God replies, “I did. I created you.”
Christian, may we be ever vigilant to use our thoughts, prayers, resources, skills, abilities, and connections to make a difference in the lives of the hurting and the suffering in our world.
Pray
As you think about the situation in Haiti, please pray. Please pray for peace and safety. Please pray that an already difficult situation does not turn into utter chaos with more violence and a total breakdown of social order. Please pray for our friends, employees, students, and the people in the two villages where we work – Galette Chambon and Thoman. I’m sure there will be great uncertainty and even fear today as the people awaken to this news, just as there would be in any country where the President was killed.
I will keep you posted via email and social media, but for now please know that we continue loving the people of Haiti, communicating with our Haitian team, and doing all we can in a difficult situation.